Russia's Next Headache

FIFA has asked authorities in 2018 World Cup host Russia for “clarification and more details” about a new anti-gay law, joining the International Olympic Committee in seeking answers from Moscow. Legislation prohibiting “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations among minors” has provoked an international furor since President Vladimir Putin signed it off in June and sparked growing concern at the IOC ahead of the Sochi Winter Games next February. The two most influential organizations in world sports are both now asking Russia how the law would be enforced during their marquee events.

It's annoying how the IOC and now FIFA only seem concerned about the law being enforced during their events. The persecution of Russian LGBT people should matter to both groups—it should matter to the whole civilized world—before, during, and after the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2018 World Cup.